
Class _LAi^___ 



X 

iy 



r 



58th Congress I 
3d Session ( 



House of Representatives »t ^, q 



William F. Mahoney 

(Late a Representative from Illinois) 



MEMORIAL ADDRESSES DELIVERED IN 
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 



Third Session of the 
Fifty-eighth Congress 



Compiled under the Direction of the Joint Committee on Printing 



i-^^ 



WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1905 






SEP 26 1906 
^ D.ofD. 




iiasiflg'y 



TABLE OF CONTEXTvS. 



Page." 

Proceedings in the House 5 

Prayer by Rev. Henry N. Couden 5 

Prayer by Rev. Henr)- N. Couden S 

Address of Mr. Mann, of Illinois 10 

Address of Mr. Sulzer, of New York 14 

Addre.ss of Mr. Boutell, of Illinois 16 

Address of Mr. Williams, of Illinois iS 

Address of Mr. Robinson, of Indiana 21 

Address of Mr. Enierich, of Illinois 24 

-Address of Mr. Ryan, of New York 27 

Address of Mr. Hunt, of Missouri 29 

.address of Mr. Foster, of Illinois 31 

Proceedings in the Senate 35 

3 



I 



Death of Representative Wm, F. Mahoney 



PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE 

Wednesday, /rtw/z^rrr /, /qo^. 

The House met at 12 o'clock noon. 

The Chaplain. Rev. Henry X. Couden, D. D.. offered the 
following prayer: 

Almight\- Father, from whom cometh all that is jnire.st. 
nohlest, and liest in life, we l^less Thee for the hallowed 
associations, the .social pleasures, and uplifting influence of the 
season just pas.sed into history; and we most fervently pray 
that for all it has brou.ght to us of joy or .sorrow, pleasure or 
pain, we may he the better prepared to fulfill our destinv as 
indi\-i(luals and as a nation. Inspire, we be.seech Thee, each 
Member of this Hou.se with wisdom to guide, strength to 
sustain, patience to endure; and may the Spirit that cometh 
from above sustain and guide the Speaker in his arduous 
duties, that the work of the ses.sion may be for the good of 
the nation and redound to Thy glory. Once more, almighty 
God, our heavenly Father, are we called upon to mourn the 
loss of one of the Congre.ssional family, who gracioush- and 
efficiently filled a place upon this floor and who.se genial 
presence inspired friendship in the hearts of all who came in 
contact with him. Comfort them in his loss and be especially 
near to the sorrowing wife and children, that they may look up 
to Thee in this hour of bereavement and find .solace in the 

5 



6 Proceedings in the House 

blessed hope of that land which is fairer than da)-, where pain 
and sorrow never enter, and where peace and joy will reign 
forever, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

DEATH OF REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAM F. MAHONEY. 

Mr. Mann. Mr. Speaker, it becomes ni)' .sad duty to an- 
nounce to the House the death of my late colleague, Wil- 
liam F. M.\HONEV, who passed away at his home in Chicago 
on the 27th of la.st month. 

Following the precedents of the Hou.se, I shall not at this 
time give any extended expression to my pensonal .sense of 
loss or pay tribute to his worth; but I shall hereafter ask 
the Hou.se to set a.side some Sunday afternoon for the con- 
sideration of his personal character and his public services, 
at which time Members of the House may fittingly express 
their grief and their deep respect. 

I now offer the resolutions which I .send to the Clerk's 
•desk. 

The Clerk read as follows: 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives lias heard with profound 
sorrow and deep regret of the death of Hon. Willi.\m F. ]\La,honev, 
late a Representative from the State of Illinois. 

Resolved, That the Clerk communicate these resolutions to the Senate, 
and also a copv thereof to the family of the deceased Representative. 

Resolved. That as a further mark of respect to the memory of the de- 
ceased Representative the House do now adjourn. 

The resolutions were unanimously agreed to; and accordingly 

(at 12 o'clock and 10 minutes p. m.) the Hou.se adjourned until 

to-morrow at 12 o'clock noou. 



Proceedings in the House f 

Jancary 5. 1905. 
message from the senate. 

A message from the Senate, by Mr. Parkinson, its reading 
clerk, announced that the Senate had passed the following 
resolutions: 

A'csohrd. That the Senate has heard with deep sensibility the announce- 
ment of the death of Hon. Wii.Li.^M F. M.\HONEY, late a Representative 
from the State of Illinois. 

Resolft'd, That as an additional mark of respect to the memory of the 
deceased the Senate do now adjourn. 

February 9, 1905. 

MEMORIAL exercises. 

Mr. Manx. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
Sunday, February 26, beginning at 12 o'clock, be devoted to 
memorial exercises on the life and character of the late Rep- 
resentative William F. Maho.xey, from the State of Illinois. 

The Speaker. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinoi.s? 

There was no objection. 



MEMORIAL ADDRESSES 

Sunday, February 26, igo'j. 

The House was called to order at 12 o'clock noon by 
William J. Browning;, Chief Clerk, who announced that the 
Speaker had designated the Hon. William P. Hepburn as 
vSpeaker pro tempore for this day. 

Mr. Hepburn took the chair as Speaker pro tempore. 

The Chaplain, Rev. Henry N. Couden, D. D., offered the 
following pra^'er: 

Our Father who art in heaven, we thank Thee for that 
deep and ever-abiding faith which looks up to Thee as the 
creator, upholder, and sustainer of all, and for that eternal 
Inpe which binds us to Thee by ties which neither time nor 
space can sever. "For I am persuaded that neither death, 
nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things 
present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any 
other creature shall be able to separate us from the lo\-e of 
God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord." For without these 
angels from Thy heart, O God, life would be indeed a desert 
without a single oasis to cheer the weary traveler on his way. 
With the.se even the mystery of death is .solved, .so when it 
comes and takes awa>- our dear ones we can throw ourselves 
into the everlasting arms and feel the warm pulsations of a 
heavenly Father's heart and .say: 

There is no death I What seem.s .so is transition; 

This life of mortal breath 
Is but a suburb of the life elysiaii, 

Whose portal we call Death 

8 



Miiiiorial Addfcssis 9 

So send, we beseech Tliee, our heavenly Father, these angels 
to comfort the hearts of the collea.i^iies, friends, and families 
of those for whom we have gatherwl here to-day in loving 
remembrance, and Thine be the praise forever, through Jesus 
Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

The Journal of yesterday's proceedings was read and ap- 
proved. 

THE LATE HON. WILLIAM F. MAHONEV. 

Mr. Mann. Mr. Speaker, I offer the resolutions which I 
send to the Clerk's de.sk. 

The Speaker pro tempore. The gentleman from Illinois 
offers the re.solutions which the Clerk will report. 

The Clerk read as follows: 

Resolved, That in pursuance uf the .special order heretofore adopted 
the House proceed to pay tribute to the memory of Hon. William F. 
M.\HONEV, late a Member of this House from the State of Illinois. 

Resolved, That as a particular mark of respect to the memory of the 
deceased, and in recognition of his eminent abilities as a faithful and 
distinguished public servant, the House, at the conclusion of the memo- 
rial proceedings of this day, shall stand adjourned. 

Resolved, That the Clerk communicate these resolutions to the Senate. 

RfSolved, That the Clerk be, and is hereby, instructed to send a copy 
of these re.solutions to the family of the deceased. 



lo Life and Character of W'm. F. Mahoncy 



Address of Mr. Mann, of Illinois 

Mr. Speaker: William Frank Mahonev was born Feb- 
ruary 22, 1856. He died at his home in Chicago on Decem- 
ber 27, 1904. He was born in Chicago, he Hved in Chicago 
all of his life, and he died in Chicago. He was born in the 
district which he represented in Congress — a condition which 
has seldom, if ever, been paralleled in Chicago. He was edu- 
cated in the public schools, and at the age of 20 entered 
upon a successful business career which made him one of the 
prominent merchants of his city. 

The parliamentary contest in Ireland excited his active 
attention in his early life, and he became a con.siderable con- 
tributor to the Irish parliamentary funds, as well as promi- 
nently identified with various Irish-American societies. 

I first met Mr. Mahonev when I was elected a member of 
the Chicago city council, in April, 1892. He was then a 
member of that body. He was elected to the city council six 
times, each term being for two years, and each reelection 
increased his majority. 

I came to know him well in the city council and to have 
respect for his manly figure, his courteous ways, and his mild 
but determined manner. He was a Democrat. I was a 
Republican. We were of oppo,site political faiths, and our 
views as to the terms upon which public franchises ought to be 
granted by the council did not agree. 

We were usually on opposite sides of important questions, 
but I learned to respect and admire him. The city council of 
Chicago then had sixty-eight members. It was the sole local 



Address of Mr. Maim, of Illinois ii 

legislative body for a population of between one and two mil- 
lions. The amount of business transacted by it was enormous 
and covered all the range of subjects possible to arise in a 
growing city or locality. It required the same devotion to 
duty, the same attention to constituents, the same constant 
looking out for the welfare of his ward, in order to make a 
good city alderman, that it does to make a good Member of 
Congress. To be six times elected to the city council of 
Chicago is proof of the affectionate esteem in which Mr. 
Mahonev was held by the people of his ward whom he rep- 
resented. He was rai.sed in their midst: he was with them 
as a boy, as a young man, and as a public servant. His 
sweetness of disposition, his kindliness of manner, his readi- 
ness to attend to their needs and their wants, his willingness 
to at all times be of ser\-ice to the humblest of them, even 
at the sacrifice of his per.sonal comfort, gained for him not 
only their esteem and their admiration, but as well their love. 

Having .served a long career in the legislative body of his 
city, he was transferred V)y his con.stituents as their Repre- 
sentative in the National Legislature, and was first elected 
in 1900 as a member of the Fifty-seventh Congress, and 
reelected to the Fifty-eighth Congress in 1902. 

He was not naturally a boisterous man in any way. He 
was quiet. He was mild mannered. Among the new asso- 
ciates in this body, he was yet diffident and .somewhat ba.sh- 
ful. These traits would naturally have made him less well 
known among the membership here than would otherwise 
have been the case. But he never enjoyed good health after 
he came to Congress. The fatal malady had already com- 
menced its work. He did not realize this so .soon as some 
of his friends who observed him. He stuck to his post here 
and did the be.st he could, but his poor health kept him 



12 Life and Cliaractcr of J I'm. F. Afahoticy 

more or less in retirement. He remained at his desk in the 
House until the last, and attended the last meeting of the 
House before the holiday adjournment. Just a few days 
before that I had requested the Chicago Members of Congress 
to gather in my committee room for the purpose of consulting 
about an appropriation for postal appliances in the new 
Chicago post-office building. Mr. Mahoney was the first 
one to arrive. He was then almost too weak to be around. 
But he was anxious to do anything he could for his citv. 
His two boys were here with him in December, and I remem- 
ber meeting him with them one day and how proud he was 
of them, and as I looked into their manly faces I ihd not 
wonder at the pride he showed. And I thought to myself 
that when he has gone over the river, as he soon will go, 
they will be as proud that they are the children of such a 
father as he is now proud of them. 

His wife and his four children — two girls and two boys — 
were his comfort aud his delight. He leaves a heritage of 
name and fame in public office and private life of priceless 
value to these children. He was a devoted husband, a kind, 
considerate, loving parent, a faithful member of the Catholic 
Church, an esteemed citizen, an affectionate friend, a faithful 
legislator. He has left us when he was riding the wave, 
when in point of years he was at his be.st. He did his 
share and more than liis share of work. He worked not 
for him.self, but for others. There was no selfishness in him. 
There was nothing mean or sordid about him. He was always 
cheery and good-hearted. 

Let us hope that the kind Providence which has now 
transferred his duties to another .sphere of existence will 
deal gently and kindly with those left behind who were 
dependent upon him. 



Address of Mr. Maiiii, of Illinois 13 

Mr. Speaker, in the midst of the last few weeks of the 
busiest session of Congress for years, when time is pressing 
us on every side, we pause from our legislative duties to pay 
our tributes of respect to the memory of this man who had 
done so much for others and who had made such a successful 
career for himself. 

We offer to his bereaved widow and to his children our 
sorrowful grief over this desolation which has come into their 
lives, and venture to express the hope that they will find 
consolation in the contemplation of the noble qualities of 
him who was husband and father. 



14 Life and Cliaractcr of W'ni. F. Mahoney 



Address of Mr. Sulzer, of New York 

Mr. Speaker; As a friend of William F. Mahoney, I 
come to-day to place on record mj- humble tribute to his 
memory. His unexpected death was a grievous blow to all 
his colleagues in this Hou.se, and a terrible shock to his family, 
his relatives, and his innumerable friends. It darkened a 
happy home, prostrated a loving family, and cast a pall of 
sadness over his native city. He died in the prime of life, at 
the summit of his career, in the zenith of his fame, in the 
service of his country, loved and mourned by all who knew 
him. But — 

There is a reaper \vho.se name is Death, 

And with his sickle keen 
He reaps the bearded grain at a breath, 

.\nd the flowers that grow between. 

And our friend was a kindly, stately, knightly flower in 
the great garden of mankind. 

William F. Mahoney was born in Chicago in 1856- He 
was a true son of the great metropolis of the West — that 
go-ahead, up-to-date, progressive, enterprising, and wonderful 
city on Lake Michigan. He was a product of Chicago, and 
he loved his native city with all the ardor of his nature, and 
always grew eloquent when discu.ssing her greatness and her 
glories. He was educated in lier schools, grew to manhood 
in her smiles and sunshine, became one of her leading mer- 
chants, served twelve years in her local legislature, and became 
one of her most prominent, popular, and distinguished citizens. 
He was proud of Chicago, and Chicago was proud of him. 
She sent him to the Fifty-seventh and Fifty-eighth Congres.ses, 
and I doubt not he could have had any honor in her gift. 



Address of Mr. S///-cr, of Xca' York 15 

I knew Congressman Mahoxev well. We served together 
for several years ou the same committee in this House. He 
was a good man and a true man. He had a genial, sinishiny 
nature, a kindly, sympathetic disposition, and an attractive, 
magnetic, popular personality. He quickly made friends, and 
the friendships la.sted for life. He was a friend of the poor, 
of the oppressed, and of the unfortunate. He was a lover of 
justice, a believer in the supremacy of law, and an advocate of 
every righteous cau.se. He .stood for great principles, for fair 
play, for even-handed opportunit>-, and for equal rights to all, 
special privileges to none. He hated cant, spurned pretense, 
and despised hypocrisy. He was no skeptic — no cynic. He 
was an optimist, and not a pessimist. He loved mankind, and 
believed the world is growing better. He was a loving hus- 
band, an indulgent father, and a faithful friend. He will 
live in the hearts and the memories of those who knew him, 
and to do this is not to die. Death after all is but the crown 
of life— the opening of the door into the better, brighter 
sunshine of the undiscovered country in the great beyond. 

William F. Mahoxey was a successful man. His life 

work is done. He has run his course. He has kept the 

f-"'..i. His career on earth is finished, and he will reap his 

everlasting reward in the celestial land. We mourn with 

those who mourn his loss, and sympathize with his bereaved 

familv. We grieve with those who grieve, and we comfort 

them as best we can, in our poor human way, with the con- 

.solation that his noble life, his generous character, his 

sympathies, his charities, his deeds of kindness, and h\S 

humanities will live forever and a day, and be his greatest 

monument — grander than marble or brass, and more enduring 

than the granite rocks of all the ages, for — 

We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths: 
In feelings, not in figures cold on the dial plate of time. 



1 6 Life and Character of Jl'///. F. Mahoncy 



Address of Mr. Boutell, of Illinois 

Mr. Speaker: My acquaintance with our late colleague, 
whose life and services we ha\-e met to coninieniorate to-da}-, 
began when he entered the Fifty-seventh Congress. During 
the la.st three years this acquaintance ripened into a friend- 
ship founded upon a high regard for his character. Three 
qualities in Mr. Mahonev especially attracted my attention, 
and, I think, the attention of all who knew him. He was 
always keenly alive to the claims and interests of his home 
city. Whenever any matter that affected the welfare of 
Chicago demanded the attention of our delegation, no one 
was more intelligently active or more zealous in its support 
than was our late colleague. His long residence in Chicago 
and his extended service in the city coinicil made him 
familiar with the needs of our city, and we always found 
his advice and suggestions on practical matters relating to 
Chicago of great value. 

Another admirable quality of our friend tliat drew favorable 
comment from all who were familiar with his Congressional 
career was his faithful attention to the routine duties of his 
office. Unless kept away by ill health, he was alwavs in his 
seat when the House convened, and he was constant in his 
attendance during the sessions and quietly attentive to all 
the business in the House. He never failed in diligent 
attention to the business and requests of his constituents. It 
was my privilege to consult with Mr. Mahonev on several 
occasions in regard to measures in which we were mutually 
interested, and I found him invariably well informed respecting 
the measures of which he liad charge. 



Address of Mr. BouicU, of Illinois 1 7 

In our large body various talents contribute to the successful 
transaction of the public business, and men here attain fame in 
divers spheres of activit>'; but I know of no talent that receives 
from thoughtful men more speedy recognition and more gen- 
eral commendation than does the talent for patient, intelligent 
devotion to the routine business of the House, a talent for 
which our friend was so conspicuous. 

And finally, Mr. vSpeaker, I wish to bear grateful testimony 
to one rare and beautiful quality that ennobled and dignified 
the life of our good friend. He suffered frequently during the 
latter months of his life from the weakness and depression 
attendant upon .serious illness, Init no word of nnirnuiring or 
complaint was ever heard by his a,ssociates. He bore himself in 
all his periods of suffering with unfailing cheerfulness, dignity, 
and courtesy. With his genial and affable disposition, his 
cordial s>-mpath\-, and strong affection he was deeply beloved 
as a hu.sband and father and was held in affectionate esteem hv 
all who knew him well. 

Mr. Mahonev's service in the House of Representatives was 
short, but it was long enough to afford him the opportunity of 
estaldishing an enviable reputation for faithful attention to the 
duties of his office, patriotic devotion to the service of his con- 
stituents, and dignified, cheerful resignation under acute liodily 
suffering. 

vSuch a reputation, Mr. Speaker, is the best and most endur- 
ing gift that any man can bequeath to his family and friends. 

We shall do well if we shall carry away from this ceremony a 
renewed determination to emulate the virtues that make the 
life of our departed friend a pleasant and a fruitful memory. 
H. Doc. 46S, 5S-3 2 



1 8 Life and Character of Wnt. F. Mahoncy 



Address of Mr. Williams, of Illinois 

Mr. Spkakek: While I am not geiierallx' inclined to partici- 
pate in ceremonies of this character, I can not permit this 
opportunity to pass without submitting a few remarks as ni\- 
humble tribute of respect to the memory of our departed 
colleague. And yet, how incomplete .seems all our helpless 
words \\-hen we undertake to express our sorrow upon the 
death of a close and loving friend. It is certainly a verj' com- 
mendable usage of Congre.ss to commit to its public records 
some evidence of its mourning upon the death of one of its 
di.stinguished Members, as well as its estimate of the life and 
character of the deceased. Such solemn .services help to remind 
us of that eternal future which awaits us all. My acquaintance 
with Mr. Mahonev began at the commencement of the Fifty- 
.seventh Congress and .soon grew and ripened into a warm, 
personal friend.ship. 

He was so kind, gentle, and affectionate in his companion- 
ship that he soon won the love and admiration of those who 
had the pleasure of his association. I had the honor of being 
.selected by the Speaker of this Hou.se as a member of the 
committee chosen to attend the funeral of our deceased brother, 
and the performance of that sad dut\' gave me the opportunitN- 
to witne.ss the large concourse of admiring friends who assem- 
bletl at the residence of the deceased in the splendid citv of his 
birth and life, where they came to bid a .sad and affectionate 
farewell to one who had endeared himself to them all by his 
many kindly deeds and his faithful iniblic service. 



.hMrcss !>/ Mr. ]]'illiai)is^ of Illinois 19 

For tweh'e long years liail he wiselx' and honestly represented 
their public interests in the connnon council of Chicago, a posi- 
tion in which the honor and integrit\' of the ])ul)lic citizen are 
thoroughly tested. And never in all those eventful years was 
there the slightest suspicion against the official acts of Mr. 
Mahoxev. He was a Member of the Fifty-seventh and Fifty- 
eighth Congresses, and I)y his honest and faithful service as 
such established for him.self as clean and pure a record as any 
Member of this body. He was modest almost to timidity, 
and never engaged in public discu,ssions upon the floor of the 
House, but always attentive to matters of legislation, careful 
and considerate in the discharge of his duties, and usually safe 
in his conclusions. While loyal to his own convictions and 
positive in his own views upon public questions, he was alwa>'s 
so modest and courteous in his contentions as never to offend 
those who differed from his opinions. Mr. Mahonev was a 
Democrat in politics, but not offensive in his partisanship, an<l 
numbered among the Republicans many of his most admiring 
friends. 

He was ever watchful o\'er the interests of his constituents, 
attentive to all their various calls, and seemed to find his 
greatest pleasure in trying to oblige others. He was well 
informed on all passing subjects, pleasant in conversation, and 
,so retiring and winning in all his bearing as to make a friend 
of everyone who enjoyed his personal acijuaintance. Mr. 
Mahoney died at the early age of 46 >'ears, comparatively a 
young man, and yet, when measured by pul)lic .service, he had 
lived a long, eventful life — long enough to establish for himself 
the character of a good Christian citizen, a straightforward, 
successful business man, a true and obliging friend, a loving 
and devoted husband, a kind and affectionate father, and 



20 Life and Character of Jf^;//. F. MaJiottey 

I 
an houest and capable public servant, and to secure for i 

liis niemor\- an honorable distinction in the history of his 

country. 

Upon the loss of such a friend, such a husband, and such 

a father, how precious the thought — 

There is no death! The stars go down 

To rise upon some fairer shore, ifc 

And bright in heaven's jeweled crown 



They sliine forevennore. 

There is no death! But angel forms 
Walk o'er the earth with silent tread; 

They bear our best loved things away, 
And then we call them dead. 



* 



Address of Mr. Robinson , of Indiana 21 



Address of Mr. Robinson, of Indiana 

Mr. Speaker: Legislators may come to the active duties and 
responsibilities of Congressional life and men may go, but the 
Government goes on. Within a week the bonds that bind this 
Congress together will be di.ssundered, and Members who have 
Stood together for interests of State and country will part — 
too many to meet no more. 

The future, however, will bring no sweeter recollection than 
the personal friendships engendered in this official life. Dif- 
fering widely in politics and individual opinion on the great 
questions of public concern, the memliership of this House 
never fail to unite, with heads and hearts together, in the 
great impulses that lead along the pathway of humanity. 

In con.sonance with a beautiful custom, and agreeable to our 
traditions, we meet this solemn Sabbath day to memorialize a 
deceased Member, who has gone to that country of infalHbiHty 
where Congresses and courts are not needed to enact and pass 
upon the virtue of rules for human action. 

Only iu a Congress of a country like this — the strongest, the 
richest, and the best — can be found such a diversity of ability 
and talent, such a fund of information and knowledge of our 
manifold and important interests. 

As this is the greatest age of the world in scientific, moral, 
and material progress, .so does this country, at this moment, 
stand at the head of all the countries. 

To be selected as a Member of Congress iu this era is a 
distinction to be made brighter by a con.scientious perform- 
ance of duty within one's opportunities. Indeed, reward and 
approval of constituency come from this course. 



22 Life and Cliaractcr of W'ni. F. Mahomy 

We eulogize Hon. Williaji F. Mahonev to-day as a true 
representative of his people, as a conscientious legislator for 
his countr5'. Some may excel in forensic ability, others in 
power to sway by their eloquence, and some in analysis of 
statistics. Some are informed in matters concerning the 
marts of commerce and the avenues of trade, others have 
intimate knowledge of mines and prairies, of the mountain 
sections and the deserts. Each knows human nature, each 
knows the needs of his constituency. All are needed to 
rule a country like this, and none are less needed than the 
others. 

A Congress of orators would be less useful than a Con- 
gress of business men, and within this class all are conipre- 
liended who have business, and in a republic all should have. 

In a country so wide in area, with interests so va.st, so 
varied, each employment and vocation must have its repre- 
sentatives here to leaven this body, to balance and adjust it, 
to make it representative, and thus we meet the ideals of a 
republic. The grave is a common leveler. As with a sponge 
it wipes out all di.stinction. The only questions there — "The 
purity of life:" "The rectitude of conduct." 

Glancing about us daily in this Chamber we see every- 
where written that con.stituency a.sks only, "Is he faithful?" 
"Has he performed his dut\'?" 

Modest and una.ssuming, vigilant in presen-ing the rights 
and interests of his people, careful in promoting legislation 
which he conceived to be for the best interests of the country, 
by every standard worth\- of the name Hon. Willi A--\i F. 
Mahonkv measured up tr) the true type of a Representative 
in Congress. 

\'otes in Congress mold for weal or for woe the policies of 
the country, and count far more in legislation tlian the oratory 



Addrt'ss of Mi'- Robinson, of Indiana 23 

of the comparatively few among the large membership that can 
he heard on either side of the proposition. The latter lend a 
charm and eloquence to the proceedings, hut the careful, silent, 
plodding membership counts in committees and on the votes 
that decide the questions. To this large, useful, and influ- 
ential cla.ss of careful, painstaking Memliers the deceased be- 
longed, and for this he had the confidence of his constituency; 
for this he lives in the hearts of his people. 



24 Life and Character of IF>n. F. Mahoney 



Address of Mr. Emerich, of Illinois 

Mr. Speaker: Most of the Members of this House, and all 
of the representatives of the great city of Chicago will long 
recall with feelings of acute regret one somber winter day near 
the close of the j-ear 1904. On that day, when we were all 
under the spell of holiday pleasures just enjoyed, there came 
unto us with paralyzing force a terrible shock. We all knew 
that he was ailing, but in our love and regard for the man we 
were absolutely unable to believe that so suddenly were we to 
be deprived of his genial comradeship, his kindly personality, 
his unflagging friendship, his untiring devotion to the public 
weal. On that fateful 27th day of December, with appalling 
abruptness, was terminated the useful career of one whom that 
great Garden City of the West had often and deservedly de- 
lighted to honor. On that day died William F. Mahonev. 

Here was a man who in himself typified all of the best qual- 
ities of citizenship which flourish in that great section of our 
country of which the city he so dearly loved and so faithfully 
.served is eminently representative. 

Here was a man who in all his public and private affairs 
was impelled by the truest and purest altruism. 

Here was a man in whom the golden rule was strikingly 
exemplified, who unto others did as he would have them do 
unto him and regardless of what was unto him done, invariably 
dealt with his neighbors, his constituents, his friends — aye, 
with all human kind — in the broadest, most charitable, most 
unselfish spirit. 

Although of another religious faith, he was in the true.st 
sense a unitarian — nay, more, a humanitarian — for all mankind 



Address of Mr. Eiiicricli, of Illinois 25 

were his brethren, and race, creed, and condition were to him 
naught but words. In his great, throbbing, manly, generous 
brain he reall}- knew no distinction. 

His private Ufe, his private honor, were pure and .stainless; 
his business career honorable and upright; his public ser\-ice 
a credit to himself and to the community he represented. 

William F. Mahoney was born and reared in Chicago. 
There he spent his boyhood, his adolescence, and all his 
useful manhood until his untimely death. Chicago's interests 
were his interests; Chicago's glory his glory; Chicago's 
honor his honor; Chicago's progress, greatness, and preemi- 
nence the objects of his greatest solicitude; and to procure 
and to maintain these did he devote a lifetime of earnest 
effort and render yeoman service. 

One section of our city — known as the "west side" — is 
the principal abode of the great army of toilers, to the fruits 
of whose toil and grime and sweat are largely due the citv's 
greatness. 

Among these he lived. These he loved. Him these 
•loved, and with good reason, for morning and night, early 
and late, unremittingly he toiled and strove and battled for 
their rights. 

Other men may have possessed more striking talents, but 
none more solid than he. Other men may have stood forth 
more prominently in the glare of notoriety; none better nor 
more faithfully represented his constituency than did he. 
Other men may have been more widely known, but none, 
despite his modest and retiring character, more intimately 
appreciated nor more sincerely loved by Iiis neighbors than 
was he. 

In his loss his family loses and mourns a wise, tender, 
generous, and devoted husband and father. 



26 Life and Character of ]]'ni. F. Mahoney 

In his lass his constituency loses and mourns a faithful, 
earnest, conscientious servant. 

In his loss his cit}^ loses and mourns a good, upright, 
public-spirited, patriotic citizen. 

In his loss we, his coworkers and friends, lo.se and mourn 
a big-hearted, big-brained, supremely valued and thoroughly 
appreciated companion. 

In his life is to be found an example to be emulated — an 
object lesson of patriotic fidelity and democratic simplicity 
such as the founders of the Republic believed to be the 
underlying basis of the perpetuity of free institutions. 

In his death his inunortal .spirit ascends to the seat of divine 
grace accompanied by a solemn chorus of thanks and blessings 
that such as William F. Mahonev has lived in this world 
for this world's good, and this chorus is direct from the sincere 
hearts of all who loved him — and they are all who in his life 
were so fortunate as to know him. 



Address of Mr. Ryan, o/Ar-u' York 27 



Address of Mr. Ryan, of New Yorx 

Mr. Speaker ; We are called to-day to pay the last tribute 
of respect to the memory of a colleague who has been called to 
the life be^-ond, and it is fitting that we should pause amid the 
trials of legislative duty to bear public testimony to the life and 
character of one who l.)ut a few weeks ago occupied a seat on 
this floor and took part in the deliberations of this body. 

I met WiLLi.AM F. Mahoxev for the first time on the 
assembling of the Fiftj'-seventh Congress, in December, 1901, 
and my acquaintance with him grew into a warm friendship. 
I greatly admired his gentle bearing, his quiet manner, his 
warm friendship — always ready to do his utmost to serve his 
district, his party, and his country. 

William Frank Mahonev was born in the city of Chicago, 
III., on Februar}- 22, 1S56 ; was educated in the public schools 
of his native city ; represented his ward in the Chicago city 
council for a period of twelve years, after which he was unani- 
mously nominated for Representative in Congress for the 
Eighth district of Illinois and was elected to the Fifty-seventh 
Congress, taking his .seat December, 1901. He was reelected 
in 1902 by practically the unanimous vote of the electors of his 
district. As a Member of this Hou.se he .served as a member 
of the great Committee on Military Affairs, and when he passed 
away was making an enviable record as a Member of this body. 

In a conversation, before the holiday adjournment, he 
informed me that his health was improving, and I had hoped 
he would .soon regain his former .strength, but an all-wi.se 
Providence ruled differently, and before the holiday season had 



28 Life and Character of W'ni. F. Mahoney 

closed the sad news came that death had claimed him, and 
instead of greeting him at the opening of this session, as I 
would have been glad to do, I am here to add my tribute to 
his memory. 

Mr. Mahonev had the respect and confidence of the people 
of his di.strict. Tho.se who knew him best loved him best, 
and in honoring his memory to-day this House reflects honor A 

on itself. 

In the death of Mr. Mahoney his State loses a good citizen, 
his friends a kind, gentle, sincere associate, his party a faithful 
worker. 

He was a faithful public ofScial. He died in the ser\'ice 
of his country. We had hoped for him long j-ears of useful- 
ness and honor. He left to his family the record of a useful 
life and a .spotle.ss name. 



I 



Address of Mr. Hiint^ of Missouri 29 



Address of Mr. Hunt, of Missouri 

Mr. Speaker: Upon my entering this Chamber for the first 
time, and having feasted my eyes upon this forum of freedom, 
a strange and mingled feeling of awe and reverence took 
possession of me, and I moved like one lost in a labyrinth of 
uncontrollable imaginings, which caused me to look about 
with a longing desire to find a friendly face to fraternize with 
or a kindly nod to give me welcome. It seemed to me that of 
all this assemblage I was the only one that did not have at 
least a speaking acquaintance among the membership of the 
Fifty-eighth Congress. Here I gazed in stolid silence, when 
suddenly my attention was attracted to a tall, mild-looking, 
meditative sort of man, whose pallid face seemed spread with 
melancholy, and his eyes sparkled with a splendid sadness as 
he talked to me and said, " My name is Mahoney, and I take 
it you are a new member. " I answered him. He seemed to 
realize my position and remained with me and w^e talked over 
things that presented themselves to our observation. What 
he said has been of pleasure and profit to me frequently since 
that day. A singular coincidence is here presented. Mr. 
Mahoney was the first speaking acquaintance I formed at my 
arrival at the Capitol. And now I for the first time beget a 
speaking acquaintance with this Congress, in order that 1 may 
give public utterance to our common loss, and in muffled meter 
mourn the lapse of life in a kind and faithful friend. 

Mr. Speaker, we are forced to the belief that the souls of 
the departed dead linger long and lovingly in the nether world. 
Having escaped their environments of clay without being able 



30 Life and Character of If'///. F. Mahoncy 

to ascend, remain suspended between this life of labor and the 
world Ijeyond, for — 

All houses wherein men have lived anri died 
Are haunted houses; through the open doors 

The harmless phantoms on their errands glide 
With feet that make no sound upon the floors. 

There are more guests seated at table than 

The host invited; the illuminated hall 
Is thronged with quiet, inoffensive ghosts, 

As silent as the pictures on the wall. 

Mr. Mahoney and myself chummed in the cloakroom and 
on the floor of thi.s House. How well I remember the last 
time he appeared in this Chamber. The usual pallor of his 
face had faded into a yellow saffron shade and fell disease 
reveled in the havoc it had made. He was accompanied by 
his little bright-eyed bo}-, who seemed to be eager in his 
endeavor to do that which would please his father. That 
father's eyes were fa.stened on his boy with a supernatural 
sight, which .seemed to speak a .something his lips were loath 
to tell. Arising to leave this Hou.se forever, he said; "John, 
my seat is much better located than is 5-ours. I will be 
away for some time. You are welcome to use it in my 
absence. I am not feeling well to-day. Good by ! ' ' When 
the news of his death came, it called keenly to my mind 
the knowledge that I had lost a friend, this Hou.se a u.seful 
Member, his family a faithful father. Death has won its 
usual victorv, but heaven has gained a soul. 



Address of Mr. Foslir, of Illinois 31 



Address of Mr. Foster, of Illinois 

Mr. Speaker: Were I to permit this occasion to pass with- 
out i)a\'ing some tribute of respect to the memory of my late 
friend and colleague I would feel that I had been derelict in 
the discharge of duty. My acquaintance with our late col- 
league, Wii,Li.\M F. ArAHONEY, dates back over a period of 
about fifteen years, during all of which time I have respected 
and admired him for his many manly qualities of heart and 
mind. From personal observation and from frequent conversa- 
tions with him I knew that he was not in good health during 
his .service in Congress, and especialh" during the last session 
of the Fifty-eighth Congress, when he felt great anxiety as to 
his phvsical condition. Hence, while I deeply regretted the 
sad event. I was not surprised to hear of his death during the 
early days of the pre.sent session. 

Mr. Mahoney had been prominent in the political life of 
his home city for many years. As a member of the common 
council of the city of Chicago, he represented an important 
constituency for several terms, until extensive jirivate intere.sts 
compelled him to decline further service, though he continued 
an active interest in public affairs. He was elected to the 
Fifty- seventh Congress as a Democrat, receiving a large 
majority, and was reelected to the Fifty-eighth Congress 
without opposition. 

While others may have 1)een more able and prominent in the 
legislation of this bod>-, none were more honest, none were 
more industrious, none were more faithful in the discharge of 
their duty as public .servants, and none were more energetic in 



32 Life and Character of ]\^m. F. Mahoney 

attending to the needs of their constituents than William F. 
Mahoney. He represented an industrial district, having a 
population thoroughl.v cosmopolitan in character, and there- 
fore a district most difficult to represent satisfactorih-. Mr. 
Mahoney, though seemingly of a quiet, retiring disposition, 
was full of a clean, generous mirth and a happy humor that 
ihade him a welcome visitor to any part of that di.strict and 
gained for him the respect, admiration, confidence, and esteem 
of his large and cosmopolitan constitueucj', irrespective of 
political opinions or affiliations. 

I attended his funeral, and the demonstration of love and 
aflEection that was manifested on that occa.sion by a vast con- 
course of people from almost everj' condition of life, citizens of 
his district who had known him all liis life, was a high testi- 
monial to his worth and .standing as a man and citizen. 

, Mr. M.\HONEY was most happy in his domestic relations. 
He was a fond husband and a kind father. He left .surviving 
him a widow, possessed of bright intelligence and praiseworthy 
ambition, clothed as with a garment with the beautiful womanly 
qualities of modesty, energy, and courage. She had been to 
him a friend, monitor, and counselor. Faithful to the last, 
with a heart almost breaking, she stood at the grave of her 
husband, grateful for the sympathy manifested on every side, 
and took up the burden of his life where he had laid it down, 
to see to it that the four splendid children — two boys and two 
eirls — that he had left behind him .should be, in some measure 
at least, a representation of the good qualities of their father. 
And those qualities were many, for William F. Mahonky was 
truly a lovable man. Po.ssessed of a hapjiy, genial disposition, 
he was always a welcome addition to social gatherings. Those 
who knew him well will testify that he had the true gift of 
conversation, which is to find points of agreement and not 



Address of Mr. Foslt'i\ of ///iiiois 2>3> 

points of difference. No man ever left a company of which 
William F. Mahonev was a part feeling wounded by unkind 
or even thoughtless observations b\- hiui. He was ever the 
genial, warm-hearted, happy friend. There was a touch of 
feminine softne.ss in his nature that made it difficult for him 
to do harm to anyone, e\en a foe, but it must not he suppo.sed 
from that that lie lacked firmne.ss or the power to defend, to 
oppose, or to attack, if need be. 

He came of a race that has lived in history as one of the 
boldest and bra\est and most patriotic of peoples, and there 
was never one of that race, however great he may have l)een 
at counsel, however powerful in oratory, or however mighty 
he may have been on the tield, that had more real firnniess 
when the need aro.se than the humble descendant who filled 
his place in this House. I have known him time and again, 
wlien .some one would presume on that kindl\- nature of his, 
to show that he had an iron hand within the velvet glove. 
He was a man of courage and stood for his convictions 
manfully. He was a well-informed man. He, however, was 
not a public speaker. He made no pretensions to a1iilit>- in 
that regard, and consequently made no great and conunand- 
ing figure here, but his name will not perish because of that. 
There are men, and men. There are great men whom the 
world does not always recognize, and the greatest of all is 
he who does his duty to his family, his fellows, and himself; 
and William F. Mahonev was preeminent!)- that man. He 
was modest, unassuming, honest. He was also a religious. 
God-fearing man. It has been said that men around us 
make their mark in the .sands of time, but the waves of 
oblivion speedily efface them. He did not make a deep 
mark on the sands of time, but he carved his name without 
effort on the rocks above, where the storm does not reach; 
H. Doc. 46.S, 5S-3 3 



34 /.//f' and CJiaractcr of Win. F. Mahoncy 

ami when iiieu uf more pretense are forgotten, those who 
knew \\"n,LiAJi F. Mahoney and loved him will keep his 
memory green in their souls. 

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
who are necessarily detained from attending may have leave 
to print remarks. 

The Speaker pro tempore. Without objection, it will be 
so ordered. 

There was no objection. 

The Spe.\ker pro tempore. The question is on agreeing 
to the resolution offered by the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. 
Mann] . 

The resolution was agreed to. 



\ 



PROCEEDINGS IN THE SENATE 

MESSACK FROM THE HOUSE. 

A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. W. J. 
Browning, its Chief Clerk, conimiinicateil to the Senate tlie 
intelhgence of the death of Hon. \Vili,i.\m F. Mahonev, late 
a Representative from the State of Illinois, and transmitted 
resolutions of the Hou.se thereon. 

DEATH OF HON. \VIIXI.\M F. M.\HONEY. 

Mr. CuLLOM. I ask the Chair to la>- before the Senate 
the re.solutions of the House of Representatives relative to 
the death of my late colleague in that body. 

The Presiding Officer. The Chair lays liefore the Senate 
the re.solutions indicated by the Senator from Illinois, which 
will be read. 

The Secretary read as follows; 

In the House of Rkpresent.\tives, 

January ./, 7905. 

Resolved, That the House of Repre.sentative.s has heard with profouiul 
sorrow and deep regret of the death of Hon. Willi.^m F. M.\honev, late 
a Representative from the State of Illinois. 

Resolved, That the Clerk communicate these resolutions to the Senate, 
and al.so a copy thereof to the family of the decea.sed Repre.sentative. 

Resolved, That as a further mark of respect to the memory of the de- 
ceased Representative the House do now adjourn. 

Mr. CtTLLOM. Mr. President, I will take occasion at some 
future time to submit some remarks relative to the life and 
public services of m>- late colleague. For the present, I 
offer the resolutions I send to the desk, and I ask for their 
adoption. 

35 



"^w 



36 Life and Cliaractir of 11 'in. F. MaJwney 

The Presiding Officer. Tlie Senator from Illinois offers 
resolutions, which will be read.. 

The resolutions were read, as follows : 

Resolved, That the Senate has heard with deep sensibility the announce- 
ment of the death of Hon. Willi.^m F. Mahoney, late a Representative 
from the State of Illinois. 

Resolved, That as an additional mark of respect to tlie memory of tlie 
deceased the Senate do now adjourn. 

The resolutions were considered b)- unanimous consent, 
and unanimously agreed to: and (at 4 o'clock and 15 min-" 
utes p. m.) the Senate adjourned until to-morrow, Thursday, 
January 5, 1905, at 12 tj'clock meridian. 

message from the house. 

Febru.\ry 27, 1905. 
Tlie message also transmitted resolutions of the House 
commemorative of the life and public .services of Hon. 
William F. AIaho.vev, late a Representative from the State 
of Illinois. 

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